Jan.11 (GMM) Fernando Alonso can add a third title to his tally on his return to Formula 1. That is the view of Pedro de la Rosa, a fellow Spaniard who worked with Alonso at both McLaren and Ferrari. After a two-year sabbatical, 39-year-old Alonso is now returning to F1 with Alpine in 2021. “Fernando […]
Month: January 2021
Covid era changed little for Raikkonen
Jan.11 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen says the covid era has changed little for him in Formula 1. Told that he must be happy that fewer journalists are now in the F1 paddock due to restrictions, the 41-year-old said: “I didn’t know that. “The amount of work hasn’t changed for me. I used to talk to the […]
‘No doubts’ about Ferrari move – Sainz
Jan.11 (GMM) Most drivers in Formula 1 would have jumped at the opportunity to sign for Ferrari, according to Carlos Sainz. Given the Maranello team’s performance slump in 2020, many have wondered if the Spaniard is now regretting his decision to leave McLaren in order to wear red. “If you had asked me that in […]
Scheduled China GP race date ‘highly unlikely’
Jan.11 (GMM) Organisers of the Chinese GP admit it is “highly unlikely” the Shanghai event can take place as scheduled on 11 April. We have reported that with Melbourne’s season opener set to be postponed amid the ongoing covid crisis, the same is true for China. “We are in contact with the leadership of Formula […]
‘No reason to question’ Bottas performance
Jan.11 (GMM) There is “no reason to question” Valtteri Bottas’ place at Mercedes, boss Toto Wolff insists. Speculation the Finn might be ousted accelerated when he was out-shone by Lewis Hamilton’s substitute George Russell in Bahrain. Even seven time world champion Hamilton has told GP Racing magazine that Russell’s recent performances reminded him of what […]
Ferrari academy drivers ‘all had money’ – Villeneuve
Jan.11 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says members of Ferrari’s driver development program would succeed even without the backing of the Maranello-based ‘academy’. The 1997 world champion says the notable exception is Charles Leclerc. “Except Leclerc, the rest of the academy drivers all had money in their pockets before getting there,” he told Sky Italia. Current high-profile […]
Verstappen predicts big Mick Schumacher ‘hype’
Jan.11 (GMM) It will be more difficult for Mick Schumacher to enter Formula 1 than it was for Max Verstappen – another son of a famous former driver. Speaking with f1-insider.com, Red Bull driver Verstappen said he has known Mick since the pair were toddlers, when Michael Schumacher and Jos Verstappen got together on spare […]
Jos Verstappen says Red Bull ‘maybe worse than Ferrari’
Jan.11 (GMM) Jos Verstappen admits that his son Max will probably never share a team with Lewis Hamilton – but he “wouldn’t mind” if it does happen. “I would only applaud that. Then it will be clear, wouldn’t it?” said the former F1 driver. Indeed, Verstappen senior says his 23-year-old son is more than ready […]
Australian GP ‘will be postponed’ – Stroll
Jan.8 (GMM) Lawrence Stroll admits that the season-opening Australian GP will be postponed. The rumour about Melbourne not being able to host the first race of 2021 as scheduled on March 21 comes amid tough coronavirus restrictions in the country and the reportedly more virulent covid-19 strain circulating the UK. “This has not been officially […]
Verstappen aims to ‘destroy’ new teammate Perez
Jan.8 (GMM) Max Verstappen says his aim is to “destroy” his teammates in Formula 1. It is an ominous warning for the experienced Sergio Perez, who is replacing Alex Albon after the British-born Thai struggled to keep up with Verstappen at Red Bull last year. “The lack of consistency was the decisive factor,” team official […]
Steiner sure Haas pairing won’t get ‘out of hand’
Jan.8 (GMM) Gunther Steiner is not worried that Haas’ new all-rookie driver lineup will descend into a personal spat. Amid a social media campaign to oust him after a high profile groping incident, Russian Mazepin caught more attention this week by insisting that he and fellow 21-year-old Mick Schumacher are “not friends”. Team boss Steiner […]
Mercedes slams ‘pure fiction’ Hamilton rumours
Jan.8 (GMM) Mercedes has hit out at what it calls the “pure fiction” of rumours swirling around the future of Lewis Hamilton. The seven time world champion has kicked off 2021 without a contract, amid speculation Mercedes is balking at his demands for a EUR 40 million salary, a $3m AMG-One hypercar, and a 10 […]
Brivio’s F1 inexperience not a problem – Briatore
Jan.8 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has backed Renault’s apparent decision to sign up MotoGP team Suzuki boss Davide Brivio for 2021 and beyond. Amid speculation of the deal that could see Valentino Rossi’s former boss become team principal at Alpine this year, Brivio on Thursday confirmed his MotoGP exit. “A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly […]
McLaren ‘not inferior’ to works teams – Ricciardo
Jan.7 (GMM) McLaren is “in no way inferior” to Formula 1’s fully manufacturer-backed teams, Daniel Ricciardo insists. The Australian shocked the F1 paddock during the covid shutdown of last season by announcing his move from the works Renault team to McLaren for 2021. “After the Carlos Sainz news, I realised that it was time for […]
Mercedes ‘slowed itself down’ in Abu Dhabi
Jan.7 (GMM) Mercedes was “half a second slower than normal” as the 2020 season came to an end in Abu Dhabi last month. That is the claim of a Red Bull-Honda source, even though team boss Christian Horner heralded Max Verstappen’s dominant victory as a potential turning point ahead of a title bid in 2021. […]
Mazepin ‘not friends’ with teammate Schumacher
Jan.7 (GMM) Nikita Mazepin has kicked off his relationship with new Haas teammate Mick Schumacher by insisting the rookies are “not friends”. Schumacher, who has also been signed by the American team for 2021, said recently that he knows the controversial Russian from their karting days. “He was very nice and there was a healthy […]
‘Things starting to change’ at Williams – boss
Jan.7 (GMM) “Things are starting to change” at Williams ahead of the 2021 season. That is the news from the team’s new boss Simon Roberts, who replaced Claire Williams last year as Williams was taken over by Dorilton Capital. “They own nine other companies,” he revealed. “This is their tenth acquisition and all of their […]
Alpine planning ‘half new’ car for 2021
Jan.7 (GMM) As Renault transitions to Alpine for 2021, technical director Pat Fry says the team will be able to roll out a “half new” car for the forthcoming world championship. Italian publications La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera are reporting that MotoGP team Suzuki’s boss Davide Brivio is set to join Alpine […]
Rookie Mazepin ‘unbothered’ by criticism
Jan.6 (GMM) Haas is not bowing to social pressure to oust 2021 recruit Nikita Mazepin. Some social media users, including members of the specialist Formula 1 media, called on the American team to oust the Russian rookie after footage emerged of Mazepin allegedly groping a female friend. “Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that […]
Vettel slams F1’s ‘green’ strategy
Jan.6 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has hit out at Formula 1 for not doing enough amid the new ‘green’ environmental trends. “Formula 1 should channel its competitive spirit, ambition, knowledge and speed of development so that relevant technologies are developed for everyone,” the quadruple world champion told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The sport switched to hybrid […]